'Try to understand person suffering from dementia'

In commemoration of ‘World Alzheimer’s Day,’ the Department of Psychiatry (KMC, Mangalore) in association with ‘Manaswini’ Thunga Institute of Psychiatry and Counselling organised ‘A seminar on Dementia’ at KMC Hospital (Attavar) on Friday.

Inaugurating the programme by striking a gong, KMC Attavar Medical Superintendent Dr Madhusudhan Upadya said that the brain cells start deteriorating as early as age 40.
There is a rise in cases of Dementia as with improved medical facilities, life expectancy has improved and more members have added to the geriatric population.
“As we live in a world that works in a very fast pace, there is a need to concentrate and
recognise signs of early dementia,” he opined.

A person suffering with this disease needs to be understood and should be handled with love, care and patience, he said.

KMC Hospitals COO Pramod Alaguru pointed out that dementia can cause stress and embarrassment for the patient as well as the family members. There is a need to create more awareness on the disease, he said.Giving an 'Overview of Dementia,' KMC Psychiatry Associate Professor Dr Supriya Hegde said that Dementia is a condition associated with cognitive dulling.One may forget simple things they do in day-to-day life.
They may forget parts of language and this syndrome is called as 'Aphasia'. With 'Apraxia,' they may forget to do purposeful movements and with 'Agnosia,' they may not be able to recognise objects, she said.

She also informed that doctors try their best to stop the downward degeneration with regard to Alzheimer's disease. However, one cannot get the patient back to normalcy.
By 2030, it is estimated that there will be 65.7 million cases of dementia. There are 3.7 million cases of dementia in the country. Around 7.7 million cases are reported every year, she said.

Clinical Psychology Assistant Professor Seemanthini spoke on ‘Psychological and Behavioral Management in Dementia’.

Senior Grade Lecturer in Psychiatric Social Work Mariella D’Souza spoke on ‘Care Giving – An Art’.